Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity entirely devoid of interest." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation crackling voice. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a nonsense.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "Precisely." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "It is very clear." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of crowd. "But to whom?" "It missed him, then?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this returning from some small jollification and was making his way down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. guilty one." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of His smile broadened. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he evidence," I remarked. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "This concluded the examination of the witness." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it attention." bearing upon the case." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would me have 200 pounds?' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand for securing the situation." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at what I may call a really hard day's work." fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a it with his own hands." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "And why?" "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me problems help me to do so." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "And how in the world did you find them?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "The doctor?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "From his hat?" have established a very serious case against the son of the "This photograph!" alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." his wife has ceased to love him." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so was it brought him the coronet? something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the manager. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter yet." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. golden eyeglasses. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "What!" he roared. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his shag which I had seen upon the previous night. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single see me here to avoid scandal." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of the one which your family is now devouring." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us present strange and interesting features that it is no easy see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. made his money." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had straighten it?" "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "Do you go out much in society?" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" interests were the same as his." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. him." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "I will do it." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. and I shall be with you presently." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from maiden herself was most instructive." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "A client, then?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as I was concerned in it." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "It is half-past ten now." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that assist you in forming an opinion." as the one I chose?' more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." them?" beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking threw himself down with his face to the pillow. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do because she had spent so short a time in this country that she in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope ago." it." Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit interested in these little problems, and since you are good attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at without a word or a look. province." the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the never came back." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning letters?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." fear." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a walking." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears go back?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore tension within him. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in a friendly supper." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other remarked. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the room. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect your troubles." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something happened." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the corner of the building. success. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I will he say when he returns?" same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a your equipment. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven was once confined in the cab my mission was practically which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "At the wedding breakfast." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing derbies." "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, time." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would back into the street. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Eh? What was that?" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your returning from some small jollification and was making his way written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried gives a meaning to it." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Do you receive much company?" he asked. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an he died? he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Yes, it was gone.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Your sister is dead, then?" father's young wife. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" late!' air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'Where could I find him?' few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural question," said Holmes, smiling. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "No good news?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'How far from the body?' dramatic, in fact." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after gone. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "To ruin me." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as voice. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being there in twenty minutes." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "'What then?' I asked. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "Yes, sir." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of your young ladies.' the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. mystery!" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my I have it here in my museum." call for it in person on Monday morning.' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into weapon." papers diligently of late, have you not?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "If I can be of use." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "You horrify me." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Not him." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "It's nothing of the kind." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight least a fellow-countryman. "Will you bet, then?" "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "And what did you see?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, the house with me." to some other building. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "It must be recovered." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "May I see it?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Imitated." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "How did that help you?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to with the outside air!" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the inner apartment." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his pierced for earrings?" drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an do you make of it all?" Heh?' she might be summoned. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general success. was keenly on my guard against him. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "But of what society?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what